By now, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen or heard of blockbuster movies like Jurassic Park, Hunger Games, Jumanji? How about 50 First dates or Godzilla? These are just some of the movies that have used Oahu as their backdrop. There are tons more to name.

How about books, paintings, sculptures, photography, or songs inspired by this magical place?  It seems there is something here where nature and its scenery seem to give birth to some of the best art-form there is.

Because of the allure of the place, business conventions, family vacation, adventurers, nature lovers and honeymooners have chosen this pocket of the world as their favorite destination.

Has tourism gotten out of hand here?  Some locals are even pleading for tourist to not go due to overcrowding and damage to environment to name a few. Even the mayor begged airlines to cut back on # of flights. 

With some ease in Covid travel restriction, there seems to be a rampage of desperate travelers around the world who wish to take the next flight out. Somewhere, anywhere it seems.

Is Waikiki worth the hassle to go to, with long haul flights and high cost of island goods?

To look at both sides of the proverbial coin, let’s start with the “meh’ and so-so part of Waikiki:

• Traffic-According to the most recent study of worst traffic metric in the states, Hawaii is ranked in the top 10 of the most congested states to drive in .Naively, we got out of the airport, close to rush hour and we thought “wow, no traffic”. Only to experience the stop and go the next day as we drove to the other end of the island. There’s even a point when GPS audio announced “7 miles to destination” . We thought “great, we are close” ! Only to give us an eta of “58 minutes”! Wait . What? Talk about anticlimactic .

• Cost of goods prices– Steep! To live in paradise even for a few days comes at a cost, to the tune of $8.99 for a gallon of milk, $10.99 for a loaf of good bread. That’s close to double compared to where I live in Los Angeles.  No wonder, Hawaii is considered the most expensive place to buy groceries in the nation.

• Overcrowding of buildings– First, it’s the congestion of tall buildings. The view of the Diamond head from my hotel has obstructions from multiple tall buildings and there seems to not have enough elbow room between one hotel to the next. Far from how it looked 5-6 years ago. Secondly, be prepared to be shocked with some dilapidated buildings just a few miles off Waikiki.  Such a waste of prime real estate.

• Covid restriction is a little dramatic – To dine-in restaurants you need to show vaccination scan code and for unvaccinated, a negative covid certificate taken within 72 hours. Even entering the state, the airport restriction was a little heavy. The strictest in the nation I was told. Even dancing in places with live band is forbidden by “Governor’s order” due to Covid etc.

Now what’s the flip side ?

1. Adventurer’s Delight- Hawaii is a visitors’ paradise with 365 of almost perfect weather. There is a smorgasbord of options for families, laid back individual or the risqué thrill-seeker.

For the ‘PG 13’ crowd– There are many scenic lookouts throughout the main road. From cascading waterfalls, crescent shaped beaches, jungle like forests, jagged cliffs are some of the spellbinding places that greet you while driving the coastlines. You can take the kids to aquariums by a reef, zoo, sea life park, even explore a piece of history at the Pearl Harbor aviation museum. There’s also candy making tours and Wet n Wild Park.

For the less crazy to the quite extreme adventurers -There are sky hang gliding, riding ATV’s, snorkeling, paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, jumping from helicopter or from elevated lava stone rock formation to blowhole spots by Hanauma bay. How about descending the deep blue ocean while enclosed in a cage while having close encounters with sharks?

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For the “omakase” style traveler– That’s a Japanese term for “I leave it up to you” commonly used in Japanese restaurants where customers leave it up to the chef to prepare dishes from seasonal delicacies. Random surprises took our breath away.  Don’t discount the detours and wrong turns. Those unexpected turns gave us our most memorable moments.  Since our original destination, Hanauma Bay, was closed twice when we visited, we decided to drive around. Close by, we found scenic Halona blowhole lookout and few steps down is a beach cove to snorkel and marvel at the unique rock formation. While in the water, you have a close spectacular view of blowhole spraying every few minutes. It even has a bonus cave by the shoreline. It was so dark that we didn’t dare enter. As we continued to drive around, the road led us to Kualoa Ranch where Jurassic Park was filmed. The scenic route left our jaw hanging for the most part.

Next day, due to heavy traffic we decided to get off the main road. We took the next turn and landed on a beautiful historic town in North Shore where we ended up setting our picnic blanket, read a book, and hung out for the rest of the day. We were entertained by surfers and giant waves. Then few feet away, was a peaceful side of the beach where we enjoyed our inflatable floaties and kids played in the sand with their pail and shovel

Another random beach we discovered while driving around is at Waimanalo beach park. Super fine white sand, baby blue colored water and the temperature of the water was perfection. The stretch of white sand is designed by nature for ultimate beach stroll. One of my top places to enjoy the Hawaiian water.

A favorite highlight of the trip was the hike to Lulumahu falls. It’s leisurely yet challenging at the same time. From crossing river by skipping on rocks, climbing more rocks and tiptoeing on muddy trails. The finale was the waterfall with its cool water. We playfully indulged ourselves in it , ate our packed lunch, and dipped in it some more before we head back. We spent half a day in that trail. All worth it. Though the next day we paid for it with sore muscles.

2. Nature Shows Off

• Free beaches– Each of which offer different flavor depending on your taste. There are the crushing blue waves in North Shore, mild tempered water surface in Waikiki, snorkeling paradise inside volcano crater at Hanauma or Waimea Bay. Some have powdery white sand, others beige and black medley due to the volcanoes that surrounds the island.

The color of the water is dazzling with different hues of blues and greens. Some are turquoise, navy, aqua, teal, midnight blue to light green and forest green. It’s a palette of colors that compares to any designer’s arsenal of color swatches.

• Majestic Mountain and trees- The epic, colossal mountains along the other side of the coastline are towering and stretches in miles like the Great Wall of China but nature made. They are gigantic and so close to the road that you can feel its unexplainable energy. It is quite spiritual and mesmerizing. Truly an entrancing drive. And no, I am not exaggerating. Good thing I wasn’t in the driver seat. Those mountain views were one of the highlights of the trip and totally unexpected.

Gorgeous trees are abundantly exhibited everywhere. From coconut trees galore to multitude of different species of shapes and sizes. Some look like broccoli, Asian fan, umbrellas, mushrooms, and others similar to those you see in Tarzan movies where vines are so huge and hanging everywhere.

• Sunset. Sunrise. Rainbow- Hands down, one of the most heavenly views of the sunrise and sunset. So vibrant that any mortal painter would not be able to do justice to its magnificence. Divine. Perhaps because the bright orange and yellow meet the blueness of the ocean and sky, that colors seem to come alive. Even patches of pink, tranquil gray and purple join the festival of light in the sky. The convergence of those sweet colors is so titillating it seem to awaken your senses.

Lastly, rainbow sightings seem to appear daily. We sure got treated with its spectacle a couple of times. It’s a place that keeps giving.

3. Aloha spirit – Diversity of culture and genuine warmness among locals were encompassing.  Bright, cheery smiles seemed to be plastered in most faces. The relax, no-rush vibe reverberate everywhere. The island life even rubs off on tourists.  Most are jolly and glad to be there. None of the crooked forehead or grumpy look from overstressed folks.

4. Foodie’s delight– Because of its diverse culture even their local 711 have exciting and unique chips, treats and delicacies from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines to name a few. For the dessert lovers, of course, there’s the popular Acai bowl and yummy shaved ice. Malasada ube flavor was our group favorite. We had it practically every day. It’s a Portuguese doughnut without a hole that is now part of Hawaiian cuisine. Poke bowl originated In Hawaii. When in Hawaii might as well, right? Tried the local version at Cuckoo Coconuts at the Royal Hawaiian Avenue in Waikiki. Fresh diced tuna and the salad dressing were distinct yet subtle. Goes without saying, I finished the whole bowl.

Day one in the island, a local suggested we try “Side Street Inn”. When we got to the place, we didn’t expect it to be very common looking, far from fancy.  We wanted to treat ourselves with a place with a different ambiance especially after a 5 plus hour flight. But on second thought, we decided to try it. Besides, it’s usually the un-touristy kind where locals gather, where you find delicious, authentic cuisine. Wow! Glad we stayed. Their fried chicken, sizzling beef kalbi and fried rice were so good we couldn’t stop saying our praises while eating and as we drove to our hotel. No wonder they have 4.5 stars with 834 reviews.

IF you like to shop, dine, and play, it’s a place with lots to offer.  

To experience the essence and richness of this lush garden of bliss, you need to be there.

So. Is Waikiki over-rated? You be the judge!

Waikiki, Honolulu